Latvian Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) did not find any violations in its investigation of the scandalous visit of certain Saeima deputies to China, as BNN was told by KNAB.
The corruption prevention institution has completed its investigation of the visit of eight Saeima deputies to China between the 12th and 23rd of January. Results show that the visit of Saeima deputies was organised in accordance with their official duties and requirements of the Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest in Activities of Public Officials.
KNAB looked at both publicly available and additionally acquired information. Law enforcers concluded that the Saeima Praesidium, which decides on deputies’ foreign visits, was, indeed, informed of the visit but had not received an appropriate application for an official visit.
KNAB reports that the Saeima should look into the inappropriate submission of a foreign visit request.
In the investigation, KNAB looked at Saeima deputies actions and their compliance with requirements listed in the Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest in Activities of Public Officials. According to available information, the visit of Latvian parliamentarians was associated with their direct duties and cannot be considered a paid private visit.
This means the aforementioned visit cannot be considered a gift from the perspective of the law.
Additionally, KNAB found out that the costs associated with the visit were not paid from the state budget. This means there was no violation of the restrictions listed in the Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest in Activities of Public Officials on the use of public funds by state officials.
As previously reported, multiple Saeima deputies that are also members of the committee for cooperation with the Chinese parliament visited China in January. The leader of the group – Ainārs Šlesers – publicly said the trip was paid for by the Chinese government.
“All of Latvian delegation’s expenses are covered by the Chinese government. This visit will cost Latvian taxpayers 0 euros!” this announcement was published on Šlesers’ Facebook account. He also published numerous photos featuring members of the delegation posing both with members of the China’s National People’s Congress and on excursions. One of the videos posted on social media also showed then enjoying a foot massage.
The delegation consisted of Ainārs Šlesers, Ričards Šlesers (LPV), Kristaps Krištopans (LPV), Ramona Petraviča (LPV), Linda Liepiņa (LPV), Viktorija Pleškāne (For Stability) as well as two members of the National Alliance – Aleksandrs Kiršteins and Edmunds Teirumnieks.
Also read: Latvian KNAB to look into Saeima deputies’ “all expenses paid” visit to China
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